Also
called "Mounts of the Sleeping Beauty",
the Western
Hills, strewn with Taoist and Buddhist
temples, offer a splendid sight on the Dian
Chi Lake, a true inland sea. It is possible
to go there by cable-car from the Daguan
Park for 80 RMB; the visit then begins
at the top of the Dragon Gate.

You
can access to this whole of temples and caves
by a road crossing a forest of pines and bamboos
by foot or with shuttle services for approximately
16 RMB. The visit begins with the Splendid
Pavilion Temple (Huating Si), founded in 1320,
several times restored since. The principal
building contains a Buddhist trinity and 500
Buddhist masterpieces.

The
Supreme Splendor Temple (Taihua Si) is located
3km further, continuously on a stone path.
This temple is the oldest one among the Western
Hills, which is founded in 1306.

At
the end of the road, you will find the tomb
of Nie Er who was the composer of the national
anthem of the People's Republic of China.
Here you can either continue by feet, or take
a small tourist tram (5 RMB), or take a chair-lift
for 15 RMB to reach the Three Pure Pavilion
(Sanqing Ge). The Three Pure Pavilion is the
generic name given to the group of 11 temples.
The visit ends at the Dragon Gate, where you
find the Kuixing altar, god of the literature,
whose broken brush expresses the disappointment
of the sculptor of the gate who committed
suicide for not being able to complete his
work.